THE NORTH WALES COAST RAILWAY NOTICE BOARD

Rheilffordd Arfordir Gogledd Cymru Bwrdd hysbyseb



Chester, 31 March,  last Arriva 47-hauled North Wales train arrives empty back at Chester, and the train crew pose for  Dave Bramley's camera. Step forward  Driver Steve Warrenger who worked 1H44/5K44 (centre), Craig Jolly who took 5K44 forward to Crewe, and conductor Jason Povey who assisted the driver in the turning of the train via the triangle. Our thanks again to them and all their colleagues.
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Edition of 02 April 2004

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The final curtain (sort of)



The very last working for the 47-hauled Coast line trains was the early morning Bangor - Manchester 'Club Train' on 31 March, worked by EWS locomotive 47 750 which still wears Virgin livery, having been hired to Virgin some time ago. John Myers was up early to  ride the train from Rhyl to Flint, and take this picture after a sprint over the bridge.



Last passenger call at Chester (Dave Bramley)



Approaching Manchester Oxford Road ( Picture by Tony Miles)



Rolling into the platform at Oxford Road (Charlie Hulme)



... and the usual smoky departure (Tony Miles)



Special thanks to John Dawson for this classic shot from the UMIST car park as the train wends its slow way to Piccadilly.



Assembled admirers at Manchester Piccadilly. Some managed a 'seminar shot' for old times' sake. (Charlie Hulme)



Heading off in to the sunrise (Charlie Hulme)



Turned on the triangle at Chester ready for the run to Crewe. Driver Warrenger's first driving turn was back in 1982 on such an engine on an out and back trip to Manchester Victoria. (Picture by Concrete Bob)


And finally ...



Take another look at Ian Bowland's picture of the headboard used on 30 March.



Now take another look at this view from Dave Sallery's wonderful 'North Wales Coast changes in recent years' site On the day before HST's took over London - Holyhead turns, 47 509 Albion stands at Prestatyn on the "last" loco hauled Holyhead - Euston train.  The date is 29 September 1991.  The headboard reads "Brush Chester - Holyhead Farewell".  Notice any similarity?

We wonder if it will appear again when the summer of Virgin trains loco-haulage in North Wales ends in September?  - 2 April


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